Snap on Cover, Steel and plastic handle design with multiple material and mounting options

ABSTRACT

The objective of the invention is to solve problems relating to: mounting handles quickly and easily; material requirements and finishes; difficult shapes and sizes; cost; assembly and removal; replacement options not current available to the consumer; marketability; package and shipping. How it solves these problems: mounts with or without fasteners; all plastics and steel material design options; compliments difficult shapes because of plastic molding options; cost is less because material content is less and manufacturing is a standard process; assembles easy and is removable to the consumer or manufacturer, offering ability to replace for damage and/or consumer preference; marketability is driven by these benefits; package and shipping is improved based upon assembly by consumer options.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA application No. 61/450,981 filed Mar. 9, 2011 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current designs are typically all plastic or steel material and are limited on manufacturing, design and mounting options based upon the material. Current designs using base and cover typically include large steps and mismatch between components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snap on cover, steel and plastic handle design with multiple material and mounting options.

The device is comprised of the following elements:

Handle design of this invention has a plastic base element construction that will compliment the mounting required and the overall handle construction for shape and appearance. The plastic base fits to the mounting surface with the best mounting options relative to the product requirements. A metal (can also be plastic or laminate material, etc.) cover is manufactured to fit the plastic base as required for fit, function and appearance. The metal (plastic or laminate, etc.) cover snaps on with only the required retention for the given product.

The handle design allows for minimal offsets and steps between the two main elements. The covers can be changed or replaced for appearance and damage. The cover can be removed to access the mounting components for handle removal. The cover can be positioned on the top, bottom or front of the handle as mounted on the application for the most desirable seam location and appearance.

The handle base element is constructed of plastic or other materials that would be applicable to accommodate the attachment options for the cover and overall design of the handle. The cover is constructed and designed for the best suited materials for fit, function and appearance for the desired finished product. The handle base element is mounted to the product with the best mounting option (screw on, snap on) allowing the manufacturer or consumer the ability as well as the cover is snapped on by the manufacturer or consumer to the handle base.

Said handle design offers the best option for mounting for any handle design. The new handle offers multiple material and finish options with easy snap on cover design, allowing the manufacturer or consumer the option for the cover material. The snap on cover design minimizes gaps, offset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appliance door-drawer front including the door handle of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the door including handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 3

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3

FIG. 4A is an enlarged view taken from FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V-V of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged view taken from FIG. 5.

FIG. 5C is an enlarged pre-assembled sectional view along line V-V of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5D is an enlarged assembled sectional view along line V-V of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of view circle 5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6A is an enlargement of view circle 6A of FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a shaded perspective view of the handle of this invention.

FIG. 7A is an enlargement of view circle 7A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the handle of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an appliance door 4 has the door-drawer handle 1, 2 of this invention attached to the door 4. Illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle has a base element 1 with appropriate boss and/or and hole provision for mounting (screw, snap on, headed stud, spring clip, etc.). The handle has a cover element 2 is manufactured from metal (can also be plastic or laminate material, etc.) to fit the plastic base element 1 as required for fit, function, and appearance. The cover 2 snaps over the plastic base 1 with only the required retention for the given product application. The cover 2 is manufactured with an over formed profile. When installed as in FIGS. 5 and 5A, the over-formed cover 2 pinches the softer plastic base 1. The offset feature 6 of the plastic base 1 is manufactured to a depth so that the edge of the plastic base 1 at feature 6 projects beyond the edge of the cover 2. The plastic base 1 is manufactured with reinforcing rib features 8 (FIGS. 5 and 5A) as needed for the application. Where the application requires a positive catch, small segments of the projection 5 (FIGS. 4 and 4A) are added for a positive lock. In this embodiment, a release slot 10 (FIGS. 7 and 7A) is included in the cover 2. The configuration and geometry of the catch feature 5 and release feature 10 is as suited to the specific sectional shape of the handle. Referring to FIG. 4, the cover 2 in its over-formed free state is flexed over the plastic base 1 as it contacts the lead angle feature 11. The cover 2 is sized so that its edge does not contact the face of the door 4 leaving the small gap 10 in FIG. 6A. Only the plastic base 1 is in contact with the door 4. FIG. 8 represents the exploded view of this embodiment.

Handle and cover mounting could be robotically or automatically assembled.

The concept could apply to knobs, drawer pulls, conventional door handles and any product that requires a cosmetic or functional cover applied over a mounting base portion of a given product.

Handles, knobs, door fronts, drawer fronts, lids, covers, drawer pulls are produced by the invention: Compositions: all materials can apply to the base or covers as desired by the manufacturer and/or consumer. 

1. We claim snap on cover, metal cover and plastic base handle design with multiple material and mounting options. 